George to miss World Championships for military duty; USA Wrestling to hold 56 kg Wrestle-off for wo

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
10/19/2001


Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) has notified USA Wrestling that she will not be able to compete at the 2001 Women's World Championships at 56 kg/123.25 pounds.    George has joined the U.S. Army, and has started her basic training assignment. She will not be available for training and competition with the U.S. World Team.     The Women's World Championships were originally scheduled for Madison Square Garden in New York City, Sept. 26-29. Due to the terrorist attacks on the United States, the event was postponed. It has been rescheduled to take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, Nov. 22-25.    George became the third U.S. athlete to decide to miss the World Championships since the event was rescheduled, along with freestyle wrestler Cael Sanderson and Greco-Roman wrestler Garrett Lowney.    USA Wrestling will hold a Wrestle-off for the 56 kg position on the U.S. World Team. The other current Women's National Team members at the weight class chose not to participate in the World Team Training Camp. The Women's Sports Committee approved a wrestle-off at this weight class.    USA Wrestling will invite all athletes who originally had met the qualification standards to compete in the 2001 World Team Trials at this weight class. The qualifications are: 1. Top eight at 2001 U.S. Nationals; 2. 2000-2001 National Team Member - top three; 3. Top-three finish in a FILA A Championship in the past three years, including Pan Ams, but not Sunkist; 4. 2001 University National Champions; 5. Past World Team member.    The Wrestle-off is expected to be held as part of the Women's World Team Training Camp, set for Colorado Springs, Colo. The tentative date for this Wrestle-off is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Specific competition details will be announced shortly.    Potential Wrestle-off Qualifiers (listed by 2001 U.S. Nationals finish at 56 kg)  2. Erin Tomeo, Volant, Pa. (Sunkist Kids)*  3. Lisa Bisers, Allison Park, Pa. (TAPS)  4. Grace Magnussen, Walnut Creek, Calif. (Missouri Valley College)  5. Carrie Birge, Omaha, Neb. (Missouri Valley College)  6. Cathilee Albert, Boulder, Colo. (Fairview WC)  7. Cheryl New, Bonanza, Ore. (Missouri Valley College)  7. Jill Remiticado, Forest Grove, Ore. (Forest Grove WC)  Additional qualifiers from 56 kg: Brandy Rosenbrock, Warren, Mich. (Shamrocks), Malissa Sherwood, Rocklin, Calif. (Missouri Valley College)    * Note: Tomeo was University Nationals champion at 62 kg. George was University Nationals champion at 56 kg.